LOTR Online - Whats with all the fuss?

Clada · May 2007

Hey guys,

First off, this post is in no way an attack against anyone who loves the game, its just someone's opinion and I am very open to comments. I love Turbine and I think they make some really good mmo's, up until recently their games have always been unique and different from the pack., Asherons Call(launch) is still one of my favorite mmorpg's to date. I was very eager to play LOTR online, having played so many mmorpg's I was expecting quiet a bit from LOTR. Unfortonaly, several major issues plague the title that really make me wonder how on earth people are flocking to this title.

Graphics:

Yes they look alright, but textures are extremely plain and flat. They use no real next generation graphic effects and to top it off changing weather effects are not even implanted into the game. The sky, although it make look nice in pictures feels like an image painted on top that blends from day to night.

Classes:

Why so few? people are in awe how the game is so balanced but I would only hope that it would be since the choice is so limited here. Even better you really cant customize your own character, sure you can get traits but that's not what I would really call "customation " . A champion in lotr online is just like every other champion around, give or take a few things.

Character cusamaszation:

From the options you have to customize your character, you would think you were playing a first generation mmo! extremely standard things here, cant even change your height.

These are just a few points that really bug me. Maybe its simiplicity is what people like, What do you guys think?

dj_decay · May 2007

You don't really say how much you've played LOTRO, but from a couple of your complaints, it seems maybe not long? And that's not a slam or a dig, just an observation, because you're making similar comments as many 'I played this game for an hour and I don't like it' posts. It might not be the game for you - it's certainly the drug of choice for MANY people these days, but no game is for everyone...

In regards to your observations - I'm not sure if you're using the lo-res downloadable client or just running on low resolution settings, but in the 'very high' and above settings, I personally find the graphics here some of the best I've ever seen. The textures are rich and deep, the detail unsurpassed. From the delicate scrollwork in the elven lands to the obvious celtic and norse influences of the Dwarven armor and architecture, I don't think I've ever played an online game so visually stunning - and I've played most of them, starting with AC 'way back when'. I DO agree that character models and their visual customization are lacking, but that was never anything I really cared that much about - they look OK, I'm not interested in playing 'Bilbo Dress-up', I just want a decent frame rate, so avatars that don't use a billion polygons are fine with me.

The classes seem fine to me - 12 playable classes (7 'free peoples' classes from character creation and 5 Monster Play classes) seems pretty decent (WoW has 9 total, for example) and I really enjoy the fact that each class has a specific, very lore-based feel to them. I think Turbine has covered the majority of the playstyles, though obviously the harcore 'nuke mage' isn't present.

Finally, I have to disagree with your assessment of the Traits system for character customization. Until level 15-17, I'd agree, it didn't change much of anything, but once you get into higher levels and start working on things like legendary and class traits, one champion can be VERY different from another. You can trait-out characters for specific goals, like higher DPS or better tanking ability, for example, and this, coupled with the amazingly diverse choices in equipment and armor, can certainly make for huge differences between characters. You could trait out your champion to be almost as good a tank as a guardian, or trait your burglar for crazy DPS, or specilize in more stealth/assassination type skills. All depends on playstyle, and with the number of different tratis available (hundreds? Thousands? I have no idea, lots and lots though....) the possibilities for customization seem pretty extreme.

And finally - as to your title, 'whats all the fuss' - I think the fuss, really, is about a game featuring an IP which MILLIONS of people love and adore, which admittedly had a high potential for possibly sucking (LONG development time, multiple development shops and publishers, and I'm a Turbine fan, but hey.... DDO and AC2 ring a bell?) and in the end it was released clean, polished, virtually bug-free to what I assume is hundreds of thousands of players, and it's a LOT of fun for a LOT of people - that's a rare thing for an MMOG launch. So 'all the fuss' is because, even if LOTRO isn't your particular cup of tea, it's still an awesome game and a fantastically awesome achievement in the MMOG industry...

Techleo · May 2007

The graphical and story theme's through out the book are fairly well represented in the game. Remember the game represents a

society effectively like the middle ages. Clothes tended to be simpler and rather clownish. I personally don't know if you could find another class to add which is appropriate to the LOTR world. The one thing I agree with is the character customization is lacking.

bballermc333 · May 2007

Asheron's Call was actually Purchased by turbine and has gone downhill ever seince.

But you played seince launch so i figure you'd know that.

Kyleran · May 2007

Originally posted by bballermc333

Asheron's Call was actually Purchased by turbine and has gone downhill ever seince.
But you played seince launch so i figure you'd know that.

Er...no , it wasn't..... research before posting I always say.....

"The fantasy game, which is set in a world called Dereth, was developed by Turbine Entertainment Software for the MSN Gaming Zone."

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9908/06/asheron.idg/index.html?eref=sitesearch

Ragewind · May 2007

These are just a few points that really bug me. Maybe its simiplicity is what people like, What do you guys think?

Well i mostly respect your opinion about LOTRO, if you dont like its your taste.

Anyway what i dont like about this post is this kind of Passive Agressive judgments to those who like LOTRO. Basically you find it "simple" so everyone else (who like LOTRO) likes simplicity. Now simplicity can be described as:

Simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often denotes beauty, purity or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. Simplicity can mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. It may also refer to a simple living lifestyle.

OR:

In MCS cognition theory, simplicity is the property of a domain which requires very little information to be exhaustively described. Simplicity (simplism) is sometimes used as a synonym or euphemism for stupidity. The opposite of simplicity is complexity.

I dont know what you mean about simplicity but i assume (based in the whole post) that you refer to the second one. In an aparently harmless and respecfull statement, you finish with a line that can be read this way : "the ones who like LOTRO are stupids"

As i said i dont care about your taste, anyhow would be nice to watch out your writting and avoid to use assumptions, personal taste and perceptions as facts.

altairzq · May 2007

Just an OK game but because of the fiascos of DnL and Vanguard it has been way overrated.

Clada · May 2007

Originally posted by Ragewind

These are just a few points that really bug me. Maybe its simiplicity is what people like, What do you guys think?

Well i mostly respect your opinion about LOTRO, if you dont like its your taste.

Anyway what i dont like about this post is this kind of Passive Agressive judgments to those who like LOTRO. Basically you find it "simple" so everyone else (who like LOTRO) likes simplicity. Now simplicity can be described as:

Simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often denotes beauty, purity or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. Simplicity can mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. It may also refer to a simple living lifestyle.

OR:

In MCS cognition theory, simplicity is the property of a domain which requires very little information to be exhaustively described. Simplicity (simplism) is sometimes used as a synonym or euphemism for stupidity. The opposite of simplicity is complexity.

I dont know what you mean about simplicity but i assume (based in the whole post) that you refer to the second one. In an aparently harmless and respecfull statement, you finish with a line that can be read this way : "the ones who like LOTRO are stupids"

As i said i dont care about your taste, anyhow would be nice to watch out your writting and avoid to use assumptions, personal taste and perceptions as facts.

Thanks for the reply.

I am not sure if you were trying to be cocky or not, but the game is simple in terms of play style, its not what you would call a "hardcore" mmo. Even feature wise it really brings nothing new to the table.

Clada · May 2007

Originally posted by Kyleran

Originally posted by bballermc333

Asheron's Call was actually Purchased by turbine and has gone downhill ever seince.
But you played seince launch so i figure you'd know that.

Er...no , it wasn't..... research before posting I always say.....

"The fantasy game, which is set in a world called Dereth, was developed by Turbine Entertainment Software for the MSN Gaming Zone."

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9908/06/asheron.idg/index.html?eref=sitesearch

Thanks for clearing that up for him

Wraithmire · May 2007

Originally posted by Clada

Originally posted by Kyleran

Originally posted by bballermc333

Asheron's Call was actually Purchased by turbine and has gone downhill ever seince.
But you played seince launch so i figure you'd know that.

Er...no , it wasn't..... research before posting I always say.....

"The fantasy game, which is set in a world called Dereth, was developed by Turbine Entertainment Software for the MSN Gaming Zone."

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9908/06/asheron.idg/index.html?eref=sitesearch

Thanks for clearing that up for him

I think he was just...WTF PWNED!

Halfmad · May 2007

Originally posted by Clada

Thanks for the reply.
I am not sure if you were trying to be cocky or not, but the game is simple in terms of play style, its not what you would call a "hardcore" mmo. Even feature wise it really brings nothing new to the table.

Very few MMORPGs in the past 5 years have brought anything new to the genre. The only game that comes to mind would be Dark Age of Camelot. lets face it WoW offered nothing new that hadn't been done before, since then most MMORPGs have simply copied off each other and tweaked it to suit the style of the game. It's not always a bad thing though.

What many people are forgetting is that LOTRO is still in it's infancy, I'm sticking with it as I'm a casual gamer these days and enjoy it but it wouldn't surprise me if a majority of the common complaints aren't addressed in future updates (UI/char customisation etc).

It'd be easy enough to do.

CyberWiz · May 2007

The thing about LOTRO is that it has good Graphics, hardly any bugs, a good launch ( compared to WoW ) with stable servers AND most important an evolutionary quest system, where you have single player instances and group instances that integrate into the world.

You must look at LOTRO as an Massive Online Adventure RPG.

There is alot of attention to detail imho.

The Tolkien lore is taken into high account.

If you like RPG's and Adventures, and you like nice stories and love LOTR, then this is the game for you.

If you like to go raid with 25 players for the next best Epic lewt, then you must play WoW.

Also the community is more mature and friendly then in WoW.

Crafting looks good to me too.

Yes there is hardly any PvP, yes there is no housing, no RvR, or stuff like that. But the game is not about that. It is us ( Humans, Dwarves, Elves and Hobbits ) against Sauron ( Well atm the Witch king only ).

It is a great game for explorers, adventurers and RP'ers.

1 Piece of advice : play more then 1 hour before you judge it tho ;p ( even then, they got me hooked after 5 hours, and I still have my WoW account active, so they had a harder time to get me in )

Edit : Want to add that I would never have imagined that a pure PVE game would win my hart, as I played DAoC ( RvR ), Planetside ( RvR clone ), SWG ( RvR Clone ) with player built cities and economy , WoW ( PvP light ), but it DID, and thats an accomplishment imho.

Greetings,

Mentakh aka Cyberwiz.

Clada · May 2007

Originally posted by CyberWiz

The thing about LOTRO is that it has good Graphics, hardly any bugs, a good launch ( compared to WoW ) with stable servers AND most important an evolutionary quest system, where you have single player instances and group instances that integrate into the world.
You must look at LOTRO as an Massive Online Adventure RPG.
There is alot of attention to detail imho.
The Tolkien lore is taken into high account.
If you like RPG's and Adventures, and you like nice stories and love LOTR, then this is the game for you.
If you like to go raid with 25 players for the next best Epic lewt, then you must play WoW.
Also the community is more mature and friendly then in WoW.
Crafting looks good to me too.
Yes there is hardly any PvP, yes there is no housing, no RvR, or stuff like that. But the game is not about that. It is us ( Humans, Dwarves, Elves and Hobbits ) against Sauron ( Well atm the Witch king only ).
It is a great game for explorers, adventurers and RP'ers.

1 Piece of advice : play more then 1 hour before you judge it tho ;p ( even then, they got me hooked after 5 hours, and I still have my WoW account active, so they had a harder time to get me in )
Edit : Want to add that I would never have imagined that a pure PVE game would win my hart, as I played DAoC ( RvR ), Planetside ( RvR clone ), SWG ( RvR Clone ) with player built cities and economy , WoW ( PvP light ), but it DID, and thats an accomplishment imho.
Greetings,
Mentakh aka Cyberwiz.

Thanks.

I dont think you read my post, I played into my thirites and I am not new the genra at all.

take a look:

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/129987

For you to assume I only played the game one 1h is rude. As for having an "evolutionary quest system" - thats just not happening, It all been there done that.

Cerion · May 2007

Originally posted by Halfmad

Originally posted by Clada

Thanks for the reply.
I am not sure if you were trying to be cocky or not, but the game is simple in terms of play style, its not what you would call a "hardcore" mmo. Even feature wise it really brings nothing new to the table.

Very few MMORPGs in the past 5 years have brought anything new to the genre. The only game that comes to mind would be Dark Age of Camelot. lets face it WoW offered nothing new that hadn't been done before, since then most MMORPGs have simply copied off each other and tweaked it to suit the style of the game. It's not always a bad thing though.

Depends on how you define few. I'll name a few innovative MMOs for discussion: Second Life, Project Entropa, WWII Online, Roma Victor, Shadowbane, Dark and Light (ei the most massive world ever seen), Auto Assault. You see a trend here? All are pretty low budget affairs. And because they are innovative, their subscription numbers remain low. That is the nature of the beast.

RadiationStorm · May 2007

Well, I haven't played the game as such so I can't really judge if this or that is too simplified, but reading several reviews and ratings I do get the impression it's not exactly what I anticipated. There are simply too many people stating flaws which I too would have considered as such. For instance, someone wrote "you can't even explore the Misty Mountains" and that's pretty much how I feel. When I heard about this game, I thought of Middle-Earth with all it's mythical locations, ruins and creatures. That's what I wanted to explore. That's where I saw my adventures going. Setting off like Bilbo and exploring the world, running into all kinds of dangers and stunning places. Fighting it out with the enviroment but also Sauron's or Isengard's forces. In fact I would have probably got rid of the Frodo timeframe all together and instead resorted to a dynamic RvR system and world which represents the battle for ME. Naturally people would have then been able to play the 'dark' side as well. Lastly I think the license issues are a tad bit ridiculous as well, either it is LOTR Online or it isn't. I'll be giving the game a go with a free trial but I'm not putting my hope up too high.

Clada · May 2007

Originally posted by Cerion

Originally posted by Halfmad

Originally posted by Clada

Thanks for the reply.
I am not sure if you were trying to be cocky or not, but the game is simple in terms of play style, its not what you would call a "hardcore" mmo. Even feature wise it really brings nothing new to the table.

Very few MMORPGs in the past 5 years have brought anything new to the genre. The only game that comes to mind would be Dark Age of Camelot. lets face it WoW offered nothing new that hadn't been done before, since then most MMORPGs have simply copied off each other and tweaked it to suit the style of the game. It's not always a bad thing though.

Depends on how you define few. I'll name a few innovative MMOs for discussion: Second Life, Project Entropa, WWII Online, Roma Victor, Shadowbane, Dark and Light (ei the most massive world ever seen), Auto Assault. You see a trend here? All are pretty low budget affairs. And because they are innovative, their subscription numbers remain low. That is the nature of the beast.

Good response, despite some negative comments, this mmo does thigs that most would be scared to do - add Vanguard to that list.

Farquania · May 2007

sorry

Farquania · May 2007

Originally posted by Clada

Originally posted by Cerion

Originally posted by Halfmad

Originally posted by Clada

Thanks for the reply.
I am not sure if you were trying to be cocky or not, but the game is simple in terms of play style, its not what you would call a "hardcore" mmo. Even feature wise it really brings nothing new to the table.

Very few MMORPGs in the past 5 years have brought anything new to the genre. The only game that comes to mind would be Dark Age of Camelot. lets face it WoW offered nothing new that hadn't been done before, since then most MMORPGs have simply copied off each other and tweaked it to suit the style of the game. It's not always a bad thing though.

Depends on how you define few. I'll name a few innovative MMOs for discussion: Second Life, Project Entropa, WWII Online, Roma Victor, Shadowbane, Dark and Light (ei the most massive world ever seen), Auto Assault. You see a trend here? All are pretty low budget affairs. And because they are innovative, their subscription numbers remain low. That is the nature of the beast.

Good response, despite some negative comments, this mmo does thigs that most would be scared to do - add Vanguard to that list.

Aye! Shadowbane! I remeber that from years ago and forgot all about it! I might start just for the PvP and city stuff, sweetness.

Salvatoris · May 2007

Originally posted by sposocke

Well, I haven't played the game as such so I can't really judge if this or that is too simplified, but reading several reviews and ratings I do get the impression it's not exactly what I anticipated. There are simply too many people stating flaws which I too would have considered as such. For instance, someone wrote "you can't even explore the Misty Mountains" and that's pretty much how I feel. When I heard about this game, I thought of Middle-Earth with all it's mythical locations, ruins and creatures. That's what I wanted to explore. That's where I saw my adventures going. Setting off like Bilbo and exploring the world, running into all kinds of dangers and stunning places. Fighting it out with the enviroment but also Sauron's or Isengard's forces. In fact I would have probably got rid of the Frodo timeframe all together and instead resorted to a dynamic RvR system and world which represents the battle for ME. Naturally people would have then been able to play the 'dark' side as well. Lastly I think the license issues are a tad bit ridiculous as well, either it is LOTR Online or it isn't. I'll be giving the game a go with a free trial but I'm not putting my hope up too high.

I'm not sure what you mean about the Misty mountains... why can't you explore them?

I think that as low as you have your sights set, you will be pleasantly surprised. It's a good game, fun to play, great looking and relatively bug free. If you are looking for traditional or hard-core PvP, and don't go in to it with an open mind... you'll be disappointed. Player vs Monster player is fun. You do get to play an evil character, he does quests and gets upgrades as you play. He is just limited to a certain area of the map.

If you envisioned storming Bree with your orc, this might not satisfy you... but if you wanted to explore the shire or the misty mountains with your hobbit.... this game makes it a pretty good experience. On the original topic... The fuss is all about a game that is just plain fun. It's accessible, rewarding, engrossing and beautiful... if that isn't what your looking for, you might try vanguard

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LOTR Online - Whats with all the fuss?

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

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LOTR Online - Whats with all the fuss?

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV